Book One Chapter Forty: Puzzle Plaza

Book One Chapter Forty: Puzzle Plaza

The Chosen One thumped his head against the stone door a few more times, before seeming to tire of that passtime. Abruptly, he straightened up and marched down the street to the next storefront. He tried to open that door, only for a scroll to drop out of a letterbox-style slot in the middle of the door.

If this store you seek to- oh forget this! he closed his hand over the scroll, causing it to vanish. Does every shop in this [snacky] place have some kind of puzzle just to get in?

Qube looked at the stores lining the main street. Each of them had either metal or stone signs etched over the door, and each of them had what looked like some kind of riddle dispensing mechanism.

Every store, that is, except for one very familiar-looking store. The beaten wooden sign boasting vials, hearts, and carrots, with that distinctive scent of inhumane returns prices and a village-wide monopoly.

Its Mr. Igma! Qube had never thought she would be so happy to see his shop. She surged towards the open door, and stood in the doorway, beaming as she saw the same scarred counter, the same scowl, and the same looks of loathing for anyone who would dare come into his shops and have the hubris to actually attempt to purchase his goods.

But all the fake letter writing had given Qube an idea.

Chosen One, can you ask Mr. Igma to give Mr. Clockwork a letter to take back to the village when he comes to restock? Assuming that Mr. Clockwork comes here as well. And that this is actually Mr. Igma, and not a brother or some such.

The Chosen One looked distinctly uneasy. Qube hurried to reassure him.

Chosen One, weve completed two temples now! Theres no need to be intimidated by Mr. Igma! Even as she said that, Qube felt Mr. Igmas glance passed over her and, even knowing he couldnt see her, she felt an icy chill. Or, well, less need, she corrected herself.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

It was at that point Sexy Screamy Spider Lady squeezed herself into the shop, and everything went flying.

---

In a way, it was probably a good thing that theyd been kicked out of Mr. Igmas shop, Qube reasoned. She hadnt had the chance to actually write a letter yet, and she wasnt a hundred percent confident that Mr. Igma had agreed to the Chosen One and her taking everything from his store and then selling it back to him the last few times they saw him. Even though Mr. Clockwork restocked Mr. Igmas goods and coins each night, she wasnt sure what the long-term impacts of repeatedly stripping a shopkeeper of everything they owned was. Not good, she suspected.

Still, she would start writing a letter when she had a free moment, and in a couple of days she should be able to have a line or two letting everyone know they were healthy, happy, and well on their way to saving the entire known world.

Meanwhile, the Chosen One was kicking one of the store doors. From the faraway look in his eyes, it didnt seem to be out of any particular rage, more that hed been kicking it and then gotten distracted with a particularly interesting thought.

Sewer Bard was attempting to soothe a very huffy Sexy Screamy Spider Lady.

Twice! Twice now that-that-brute has dared insult our glorious leader. This time he actually had the audacity to imply that I needed to be controlled!

Sexy Screamy Spider Lady was pacing back and forth, her abdomen scraping along the sidewalks and her shiny red heels puncturing tiny holes in the street with the force of her stomping. And when someone with four legs stomped, you knew about it.

My fairest forest dweller, he was clearly overcome with shyness at your beauty, Sewer Bard said in his most soothing of baritones. Your wild, untamed nature would be an intimidating force for the most stalwart of creatures, nevermind a mere shopkeeper.

Qube instinctively cringed and glanced over her shoulder to make sure that Mr. Igma hadnt overheard that near death wish-esque statement. Nothing stirred from the darkness within the store.

Sexy Screamy Spider Lady seemed to be calmed by this incredibly dangerous statement. She, and her childrens faces, gave heaving sighs, and she gave Sewer Bard a fang-filled smile.

Youre right, of course, she said, running some claws down her thorax. Its difficult to remember that I can be just too much of a woman for some smaller-minded folk to handle.

Qube started inching away from the pair. Invisible or not, she just felt more comfortable with a bit more distance between her and the people badmouthing Mr. Igma.

The tattoos on the Mages chest seemed to absorb the light as he approached Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, who seemed unsure if she should preen or panic.

Oh, yes, I suspect there are still trace amounts of the curse around me, she smirked, her confident aura rather undermined by twin daggers suddenly appeared next to her claws. It seems even spells can be clingy, if you know what I mean. She tossed her head, her long, thick hair jittering as it caught in her fur. Its not that I blame them, you understand, but a girl needs her space.

Her daggers wove a pattern in front of her. Definitely Bad Guy, being a clever man, took the hint and stopped approaching. His eyes returned to normal.

Of course, he said smoothly. Still, if you would permit, I would be interested to examine these traces, later on. Much could be learned from it. Definitely Bad Guy looked at the Chosen One, who was watching them with keen interest. Would that be acceptable?

The Chosen One rubbed his chin as he looked at Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, still holding her weapons, and Definitely Bad Guy, whose dark red mana still clung to him in wisps. The Hero hummed thoughtfully.

You didnt even come close to aggro-ing, but she still pulled knives

Chosen One, those are daggers, Qube corrected helpfully.

and you noticed her glitch, the Chosen One continued, ignoring his Companions wisdom.

Knives and daggers are actually quite different, Qube added.

Maybe I should have done those tests with all of you, the Chosen One stared into nothingness for a moment.

One is for cutting, the other for stabbing. If you were to try stabbing with a knife, it

The Chosen One clapped his hands together loudly, making Qube jump.

Congratulations! he declared to the party. You have each been given a very important quest! Quests that I cant be bothered uh, I mean, that I cant do on my own! So I am letting you do them! Im sub-letting quests, if you will!

Of course, we would all be honoured to help you, Chosen One! Qube nearly squeaked in pleasure, all thoughts completely diverted to this new mission. Their party cohesion was stronger than ever! There was nothing they couldnt achieve, as long as they worked together! She felt a warm glow within her, silver and gold, at the thought of being directly asked to help the Chosen One with a quest.

The Chosen One dramatically swept his arm, indicating the main street.

There are many stores here in this stupid riddle town, he proclaimed. I need to get into them, so I can get the best stuff. So I can, he paused, save the world. Yes. That is the only reason. So, really, its a crime that they are delaying me. Us. Or should be a crime, anyway.

Qube looked at the others to see how they were taking it. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady had gone back to bouncing from her various legs in place, Definitely Bad Guy was idly playing with fire, and Sewer Bard was watching the Chosen One, a small wrinkle between his eyebrows.

So, here are your quests! the Chosen One said, pointing at his small audience. Each of you solve one of the puzzles to get into the store! You, take that one, he pointed at Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, then gestured to the store with armour drawn above it. You, that one. Here, he sent Definitely Bad Guy to the store with a scroll above it. You, that one over there. Sewer Bard went back to the first store.

And you, the Chosen One said to Qube, can solve this one right here. The Chosen One winked at Qube, like they were sharing a joke. This time, Id like to see how you break the system.

Qube beamed as the party members scattered. A tiny part of her hoped the others would need her help solving the riddles, just so she could do some more.

Maybe, she thought as she took the scroll from the Chosen One and unfurled it, once she finished her TIMES research, she could become some kind of puzzle professor. Someone who helped others learn how to solve particularly difficult riddles, or needed guidance in completing any new Temple puzzles that might pop up.

Or maybe she could start making her own puzzles, for other people to solve! So she could help them become better at mastering riddles!

Qube the Riddle Master. Yes. She liked the sound of that.